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Biggest Issues! Defect/Minor Issue/Character

Is It a defect/Minor Issue/Character

A while ago there was some controversy regarding what a "quality" knife was, It got me thinking about the definition of what a quality product is, Juran Defines it as the development (providing) of products that meet customers needs.

So what are customers needs?

I thought that it is very important to understand what are the needs, requirements and expectations for customers....but it proves very difficult in practice, mainly because each of us has a different idea of whats important (profile, finish, uniqueness, etc. )... that got me thinking that maybe we can understand what a FLAW is and go from there.... so I thought maybe these 3 categories might help!

1) What is a defect?
2) What is a minor issue
3) What is just plain character (Wabi-sabi) (Something beautiful and unique)

Here is my take on a bunch of occurrences, So...what are your biggest peeves and where do they land? here is a start/idea... maybe Im completely off, what do you think?

DEFECT

Irregularity in sizing between knives (for non customs)
Gash in wood (not filled)
Big hole in damascus pattern
Gap between blade and handle on wa's
Major fit and finish issues (pertruding tang)
A Clunker (As Dave would call it in a previous post)
De-lamination of blade or finish.
Major fit and finish issues (What are those?)

MINOR

Handle not completely symmetrical (When it was supposed to be)
Gash in wood (Filled)
Blade discoloration
Handle Shrinkage
Small fit and finish issues (A pertruding pin)
Off centered pin?
Small gap between tang and wood
Crooked blade (Fixable)
Not properly tapered (Disproportionately)
Food sticks to blade? (Or is this a characteristic? not sure..)

CHARACTER

Planned variation on color of wood
Variations on Kanji
Variations in damascus (Minor?)
Wood character

And finally
Is there a difference and does there need to be a distinction between customs and production knives for this? and must there be a distinction between Wa and YO for this as well?

Irregularity in sizing between knives (for non customs)So, handmade knives, Takeda for example, non custom, but definitely variation is a major flaw?
Gash in wood (not filled)
Big hole in damascus pattern
Gap between blade and handle on wa's I was under the impression this was sometimes done on purpose, maybe I misunderstand what you mean
Major fit and finish issues (pertruding tang)like a cck? I have never seen this one
A Clunker (As Dave would call it in a previous post)
De-lamination of blade or finish.

MINOR

Small wood discoloration (not planned) Natural woods will always have some discoloration
Gash in wood (Filled)again, working with natural product, some with high figure are going to have scratches, small cracks and voids
Blade discoloration
Handle Shrinkage just a fact of life, its gonna happen, even with stabilized wood, I don't view this as a defect
Small fit and finish issues (A pertruding pin)a result of shrinkage
Off centered pin?agree
Small gap between tang and wood agree, although this can be the result of shrinkage too, for me it would depend
Crooked blade (Fixable)

CHARACTER

Planned variation on color of wood
Variations on Kanji
Variations in damascus (Minor?)
Wood character

And finally
Is there a difference and does there need to be a distinction between customs and production knives for this? and must there be a distinction between Wa and YO for this as well?

I think there should be a distinction, not always as a result of production v. custom, but of price, the more I pay, the more I expect. Wa's and Yo's should be similar, imo